Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Tapioca Pudding is my comfort food . . .

6 servings
Preparation 10 minutes
Cooking 10 minutes
Standing 3 hours
130 calories per serving

1/4 cup pearl tapioca (quick-cooking)
1 large egg
2 cups 2% milk
4 tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes (optional)

Warm up the milk on the stove or in a microwave oven 1-2 minutes until lukewarm.

Add the tapioca, salt and sugar to a saucepan.  Mix and add the warmed milk.  Cook over very low heat for 5 minutes with stirring.

Separate the egg white from the yolk.  Put the white in a bowl and add the yolk to the saucepan.  Cook an additional 5 minutes over low heat, with stirring.  Remove the saucepan from the heat.

Beat the egg white to form stiff peaks using an electric mixer, then fold them very gently into the tapioca mixture.

Portion out the pudding into small serving bowls.  Sprinkle with coconut flakes.  Chill at least 3 hours before serving.

From www.sos.cuisine.com

Monday, August 26, 2013

Not much crocheting done in August so far . . . but a couple of finishes . . .


This is a block of the month square from http://www.crochetmagazine.com/crochet_block.php?id=5 .  I have to say it was a little tricky . . . but fun.


Another strip done from the mystery afghan crochet-along at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/holidaymysterygifts/ .  There is a new strip pattern each month in 2013 but at the end of the year it all disappears.

Sketch #21


Sometimes the sketch is drawn before I start the layout.  This time the layout came first.  I event scrapbook and try to use the same paper for all the pages of big events.  In this case I only had a few bits left and 5 photos left that I really wanted to scrap.  Here is what I came up with.


Knitting finishes so far in August


I love mystery knit-along dishcloth patterns.  This palm tree cloth was the first project for August at Monthly Dishcloths and Monthly Dishcloth Overflow.


Another Oddball Afghan square finished.  I think this one, which was very simple, is one of my favourites so far.


Another mystery knit-along dishcloth.


This pattern is called Peg's Scarf.  I am half afraid to say where the pattern came from because it is a group that gets designer patterns to post for one month and then the patterns are deleted.  I couldn't find where else you could view or purchase the pattern.


Another strip for the Mystery knit-along afghan at Holiday Mystery Gifts.  This project is running until the end of the year and then it also will disappear.  I think this is my favourite strip so far.  Of course, I love cables.


Another mystery knit-along dishcloth just in time for back to school.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

The Church in Stratford, Ontario

A friend posted an event on Facebook called Around the World in a Dish . . . challenging everyone in our group to pick a cuisine and host an event based on that cuisine.  I was the first to volunteer, choosing French cuisine.  I search Google for French restaurants nearby and fell in love at first site with The Church in Stratford, Ontario.

So for my birthday I invited some friends to join me for lunch.  Enjoy the photos.




The restaurant was stunning.  Not sure why they seated us in the back corner?  It was rough on our server but it was the best table in the house because you could see the whole restaurant and the sunlight through the stained glass windows was enjoyable.


The warm herb bread was heavenly.  We had Manchego Fries (fries, shaved manchego cheese, lemon thyme aioli) for our appetizer.  The manchego cheese was very pretty but didn't really add anything to the fries but we would have loved a bucket of the aioli and big spoons. 



I had the Moroccan Vegetable Tagine (North African stewed vegetables, preserved lemon gremolata and couscous)  It was delicious and I enjoyed every bite.
 

Deb had the Crusted Crab Cakes withceleriac remoulade andcarrot hot sauce.


Nancy had the Shore Lunch Style Pickerel with lyonnaise potato, sautéed mushrooms, celeriac puree and grilled lemon.


Doesn't the table look gorgeous?  My dinner companions look pretty gorgeous too.


Mom ordered the Cioppino which is smoked tomato broth, market fresh fish and shellfish,grilled sour dough and saffron rouille.  I actually got to taste a mussel for the first time.  It was okay.



Connie had the Bacon, Leek and Gruyere Cheese Quiche with mixed greens and herb vinaigrette.  


Here is my birthday cake . . . Flourless Chocolate Cake, brandy cherries, mascarpone cream and hazelnuts.


What did I think of the restaurant?  It is beautiful.  I felt special just sitting there.  The service was excellent.  Our entrees took a while to come out.  The cake was fabulous and the coffee was dark and rich and hot.

Would I come back?  The only time I would come here is for a very very special occasion because it is a little pricey and I am poor folk after all.  But yes, I would definitely come back.

The Church in Stratford, ON

A friend posted an event on Facebook called Around the World in a Dish . . . challenging everyone is our group to pick a cuisine and host and event based on that cuisine.  I was the first to volunteer, choosing French cuisine.  I search Google for French restaurants nearby and fell in love at first site with The Church in Stratford, Ontario.

So for my birthday I invited some friends to join me for lunch.  Enjoy the photos.



The restaurant was stunning.  Not sure why they seated us in the back corner?  It was rough on our server but it was the best table in the house because you could see the whole restaurant and the sunlight through the stained glass windows was enjoyable.
 

The warm herb bread was heavenly.  We had Manchego Fries (fries, shaved manchego cheese, lemon thyme aioli) for our appetizer.  The manchego cheese was very pretty but didn't really add anything to the fries but we would have loved a bucket of the aioli and big spoons. 



I had the Moroccan Vegetable Tagine (North Africanstewed vegetables,preserved lemon gremolata andcouscous)  It was delicious and I enjoyed every bite.
 

Deb had the Crusted Crab Cakes withceleriac remoulade andcarrot hot sauce.


Nancy had the Shore Lunch Style Pickerel with lyonnaise potato, sautéed mushrooms, celeriac puree and grilled lemon.


Doesn't the table look gorgeous.  My dinner companions look pretty gorgeous too.
 

Mom ordered the Cioppino which is smoked tomato broth, market fresh fish and shellfish,grilled sour dough and saffron rouille.  I actually got to taste a mussel for the first time.  It was okay.


Connie had the Bacon, Leek and Gruyere Cheese Quiche with mixed greens and herb vinaigrette.  


Here is my birthday cake . . . Flourless Chocolate Cake, brandy cherries, mascarpone cream and hazelnuts.


What did I think of the restaurant?  It is beautiful.  I felt special just sitting there.  The service was excellent.  Our entrees took a while to come out.  The cake was fabulous and the coffee was dark and rich and hot.

Would I come back?  The only time I would come here is for a very very special occasion because it is a little pricey and I am poor folk after all.  But yes, I would definitely come back.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Synchrocity: The Film


These wonderfully creative Canadians are trying to finance a movie. They are sooooooo close but only 4 days left. If they don't reach their goal in 4 days they don't even get to keep the money they do raise (which I personally think is not fair).

"SYNCHRONICITY is a soft sci-fi film (think PRIMER or ANOTHER EARTH). What would you do if you could go back in time? Would you make any changes? Would you make peace with a dying parent, or salvage your failed career? Save JFK from being shot? Or something more sinister... Would you manipulate your own love story?

"Lou is a struggling photographer paralyzed by choice. In the midst of a family crisis, she is thrust into the position of caregiver. In walks Alan, an arrogant physicist who claims to have solved the time travel paradox. Lou embarks on a voyage of self-discovery through her budding flirtation with Alan, until she realizes Alan’s future self has been manipulating them both all along." -- http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/synchronicity-the-film

Thanks for supporting the arts in Canada!

Monday, August 19, 2013

St. Thomas' Tom Zombie Festival -- fun and fundraiser


The Tom Zombie Festival...

FREE TO ATTEND!!!  So much fun to be had.  Here is just a partial list of what is going on:

Vendors from noon til dusk

Face painting and family friendly events from 12:00 til 3:00.

From 4 pm on Zombie / Horror attire suggested but not required.

Meet & Greet autograph sessions with Butch Patrick known for his portrayal of the beloved Eddie Munster from the hit show The Munsters.

Bryan Way will be on hand to personally sign copies of his zombie novel Life After: The Arising

The Mental Floss Sideshow will be on hand to keep things moving along.

This is a fundraising event to support It Takes 2 Youth Leadership Institute.

The festival is based on Local Legend. Every year a new Tom Zombie must be chosen to protect our town from the Tom Zombie curse.

Please go to www.tomzombiefestival.ca to learn more!

The Tom Zombie Festival - fun and fundraiser !!!


The Tom Zombie Festival...

FREE TO ATTEND!!!  So much fun to be had.  Here is just a partial list of what is going on:

Vendors from noon til dusk

Face painting and family friendly events from 12:00 til 3:00.

From 4 pm on Zombie / Horror attire suggested but not required.

Meet & Greet autograph sessions with Butch Patrick known for his portrayal of the beloved Eddie Munster from the hit show The Munsters.

Bryan Way will be on hand to personally sign copies of his zombie novel Life After: The Arising

The Mental Floss Sideshow will be on hand to keep things moving along.

This is a fundraising event to support It Takes 2 Youth Leadership Institute.

The festival is based on Local Legend. Every year a new Tom Zombie must be chosen to protect our town from the Tom Zombie curse.

Please go to www.tomzombiefestival.ca to learn more!


An amazing invention . . . the Sock A Loni

We had our family reunion yesterday and it was a great time . . . but that's not what I want to tell you about.

My cousin, Paul Hewson, has invented this amazing tool to help people with movement limitations such as arthritis to help them get their socks on.  I bet ya I watched him demonstrate his invention half-a-dozen times and I was absolutely fascinated.  He gave each family group a free sample of the Sock A Loni.  I'm holding on to mine because I know the day is coming soon where my hips and knees are going to give out and this little beauty is going to be very helpful.

In the mean time I'm sharing this gem with you.  Here are some photos I took yesterday.  I'm so annoyed with myself that I didn't videotape his demonstration.




You just put the sock on the Sock A Loni . . .


Drop it to the floor, remembering to hold on to the strings . . . 

Put your foot in . . .



And pull the sock up !!!
 

Interested?  

You can reach Paul at 519-644-2729 or http://www.sockaloni.ca/ .

Sketch #20


 I originally drew this sketch for a kid's class . . . 


 . . . and I've used it a few times since . . . in this Christmas layout for example.

What would you do with this sketch?

Friday, August 16, 2013

Sloppy chicken



2 servings
Preparation 10 minutes
cooking 25 minutes
280 calories per serving

1/2 onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp canola oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
260 g ground chicken or turkey
ground pepper to taste
2 t bsp tomato paste
1/4 cup ketchup
1/2 tsp brown sugar
2 tbsp water
4 drops Tabasco sauce (optional)
2 hamburger buns

Prepare the vegetables.

Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat.  Add the onion then cook until it is translucent, about 3 minutes with occasional stirring, paying attention not to let it burn.  Add salt, then reduce the heat, cover and cook until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes.  Add the garlic and cayenne pepper then cook with stirring until fragrant, 1 minute.

Add the chicken then cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until it loses its pink colour, about 5 minutes.  It is important not to overcook the meat at this point, otherwise it will end up dry and crumbly.

Season with ground pepper to taste, then add the tomato paste, ketchup, brown sugar, and water.  A few drops of Tabasco sauce may be added for extra spiciness.  Cover, then simmer 10 minutes.

Adjust the seasoning.  Soon the chicken mixture onto hamburger buns and serve.

Serve with lettuce salad with cucumbers and radishes, tomato and cucumber salsa, tomato salad with oregano, or fennel salad.

www.soscuisine.com

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Knitting Finishes in July 2013


I just love the way the variegated cotton worked on this mystery knit-along dishcloth.
 

This was a fun oddball square to make.  I started with the white centre and then you just keep knitting around the centre catching the edge stitches from the centre as you go.  Love it.
 

And of course a 4th of July mystery knit-along dishcloth.

That's all the knitting I did.  July was such a hectic month I sometimes felt like I was spinning in circles.  August seems to be going much better.